10-Year-Old State Rifle Champ Among Stratford Shooters Honored

STRATFORD, CT — Stratford officials recently recognized a group of young marksmen, including a 10-year-old state champion. The Stratford Police Activities League junior rifle team has won a variety of honors in its 2019 season, coach Al Wilcoxson told the Town Council at its meeting Monday.

"We've been very successful and I appreciate the town and the police department for allowing us to have this," said Wilcoxson, a captain with the Stratford Police Department.

Founded in 1951, the rifle team is open to all kids between ages 10 and 18, according to information provided by the town of Stratford. In 2019, the team had 52 participants. Members practice using the range in the basement of police headquarters and each season runs September through April. The Police Activities League also sponsors the rifle team at Bunnell High School.

The team's 2019 accomplishments included placing third nationally in the National Rifle Association four-position sectional championships, placing fourth nationally in the Orion invitational air rifle league, placing third in Connecticut's state rifle championships, and placing first and second in the King Philip invitational rifle match, according to the town of Stratford. Ten-year-old Amanda Renger won the state sub-junior championship with a score of 193 out of 200.

"I always knew they were a great outfit," said council member Bill Perillo at Monday's meeting.

The Connecticut sub-junior All-State rifle team included Tyler Brunetti, Nicole Gardecki, Faith DelRe, Jeffry Lawlor, Lincoln Lawlor, Sydney Niemiec and Renger. On the junior All-State rifle team were Veronica Martino, Abby Renger, Autumn Smith and Dominic DelRe. Bunnell students Lauren Chechoski, Hayley Reynolds and Taylor Niemiec were named to the All-State high school team, which consists of the top 10 high school rifle athletes in the state. Reynolds, Abby Renger, Hope Kavulich, Sophia Cuozzo and Megan Wilcoxson were National Junior Olympic championship competitors.